8 Inexpensive Vacation Ideas

Find out what you can do close to home when your other plans get cancelled

By Morieka Johnson

Q: My family had to cancel the annual vacation this year because of other household expenses. I’m in charge of entertainment but don’t really have any ideas because I’m still bummed about our nixed plans. Any tips on finding a backup vacation plan?

A: It’s tough when you have a vacation destination all mapped out, your outfits color coordinated, and then the plans get canceled. But that doesn’t have to mean that your family is stuck doing nothing this summer.

I’ve been researching fun venues for an upcoming trip (don’t mean to rub it in), and all that digital legwork made me think about interesting destinations right in my own backyard. Sometimes we get so caught up in distant locales that we overlook not-so-hidden hometown treasures. With that in mind, I offer these tips for perking up a summer spent at home.

Take a day trip: Perhaps you can’t do the Disney cruise, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t fun characters hiding a short drive away from home. Pack a lunch and head out to some local neighborhoods for a change of scenery. Make this a group outing by inviting neighbors to join you on the trek.

Be your own travel guide: When visitors come to your hometown, what are the destinations you insist they visit? More often than not, these venues have made a few upgrades since you checked them out. New exhibits and features are a necessity to compete. Whether it’s a museum, the zoo or a baseball game, look online for summer or family package deals and plan an outing.

My local zoo offers $5 off each ticket purchased before 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. With the summer heat bearing down, that shouldn’t be a problem for many families. The local museum also offers free admission to county residents each month. You’ll be amazed at the deals you can find when you visit a site and simply type in “discount” or “free.” (Did I mention that “free” is one of my favorite words in the English language? Thought so.)

Scout out the festivals: Your local visitors bureau or city paper should offer a calendar that’s chock full of cool festivals around town. For the price of a few funnel cakes and lemonade, the family can burn calories scouring vendor booths and listening to local bands.

Take a culinary tour: The Food Network has entire shows dedicated to the “best” burgers, ice cream or barbecue around the country. Make a short list of family favorites and try a treasure hunt for the best finds in your hometown. I’m down for a tour of gelato spots anytime.

Get the season pass: Several venues like museums or aquariums offer package deals or season passes that greatly reduce the price for a family. If there’s an amusement park near you, consider investing in season tickets for entertainment throughout the summer.

Park it: When was the last time your family descended upon the local park for old-fashioned fun at its finest? A few sandwiches, popsicles, some lawn games and a few tunes are all you need for family fun outside — together.Create an action plan: Ask each person in the family to suggest three activities they always wanted to do in the city. That may include attending a baseball game or taking an evening pottery course at the local community college. Compile a working list and vote as a family on the items you can reasonably tackle in one summer.

Have a block party: Everyone loves a party, especially one that begins and ends in the front yard. Grab all the lawn furniture, call the neighbors, rope off the street and pump up the tunes once a month for a block party. Consider adding a clothing swap before school resumes or do a walking potluck as well. Check out my previous column for more Earth-friendly tips for the summer.

Your information has been saved and an account has been created for you giving you full access to everything womansday.com and Hearst Digital Media Network have to offer. To change your username and/or password or complete your profile, click here.